Connector device



May 21, 1963 R. w. FOLEY ETAL 3,090,088

CONNECTOR nsvxca Filed May '7, 1962 INVENTURS.

"M 46 yam/W I 0 (Wr United States Patent 3,090,088 CONNECTOR DEVICE Russell W. Foley, Bellwood, and Gordon G. Wood, Elmwood Park, Ill., assignors to Foley & Lavish Engineering (10., Chicago, 1",, a corporation of Illinois Filed May 7, 1962, Ser. No. 192,679 9 Claims. (CI. -92) The present invention relates generally to connector devices and, more particularly, to improved means for interjoining abutting timbers, particularly in wood truss structures and the like.

In brief, this invention is directed to improvements in metal connectors of the type in which a substantially planar metal sheet or plate is provided with a plurality of adjacent, spaced openings having at the periphery thereof a plurality of spaced prong means depending outwardly from one side of and at substantially right angles to the plane of the metal plate. Such prong means are formed integrally with the metal plate and comprise formed portions of the plate material located within the areas of the several openings formed therethrough; such prong means being bent outwardly from the plane of the metal plate by a suitable forming die, punch or like instrumentality. Among other novel features of the present invention, the openings in the metal plate are preferably quadrangular or square in formation with prong means being located at the four corners of such openings. The prong means are distinguished by a substantially right angular cross-sectional configuration for a major portion of the length thereof. The outward or penetrating ends of the prongs are distinguished by a pointed tip portion adjacent barb means which project laterally outwardly of opposite sides and intermediate the ends of each prong means to effectuate greater retention or resistance to withdrawal when the connector device is attached to a wooden member in use. Since the truss members between which a connector device of this invention is fastened are oftentimes subject to great tension loads or forces, the present invention provides greatly improved resistance to failure under tension by means of a unique alignment of the prong means so as to provide a maximum number of separated rows thereof whereby tension loads may be transmitted and distributed over a larger area and a maximum number of connection locales between the truss timbers and the connector devices of this invention. Other features of the present invention include a unique formation of the prong means to produce a lengthwise stiffening or strengthening thereof, while a clinching movement or functioning of the pointed tip end portions thereof is provided after penetration into the wooden timber members so as to provide improved locking of the prong means to the timbers once the same are imbedded in operating position.

In use, a pair of connector devices of this general category are placed between abutting ends or faces of adjacent timber members and on opposite sides thereof whereafter the same are subjected to large compressive forces, as by press or roller means, to force the connector prong means into and between the fibers of the timbers. Prong penetration, according to this invention, is also followed by a marked clinching movement and action of the prong tip end portion to secure the connector device firmly in place.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved connector device useful for interjoining adjacent timbers and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved connector device, as aforesaid, in which improved prong means are embodied productive of im- 3,090,088 Patented May 21, I963 proved penetration and holding action in wood and like substances.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a new and improved connector device comprising a planar metal plate having a plurality of spaced open ings from the periphery of which project a plurality of spaced connector prong means; said prong means and openings being aligned to effect maximum resistance to tension and other forces applied to timbers or the like interconnected thereby.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide a new and improved connector device for joining timbers in truss structures and the like wherein a plurality of connector prong means are formulated with an improved cross-sectional configuration productive of improved ruggedness, strength and rigidity and of better penetration of wooden base materials to which the same are fastened.

A still further important object of the present invention is to provide an improved prong means for a connector device of the type aforesaid in which means are provided to effect improved penetration of wood or the like accompanied by a positive clinching action of the prong means to assure improved holding action therefor.

The above and further objects, features and advantages of this invention will appear from time to time from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a typical truss joint produced with connector devices according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial enlarged plan view of a blank metal strip or plate member indicating the layout and arrangement of slits and openings therein for producing a connector device of this invention;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a brokenaway portion of the plate blank seen in FIGURE 2 and demonstrating the formation of connector opening and prong means therein according to this invention;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial plan view demonstrating the arrangement and appearance of the connector openings formed in the plate blank of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially at line 55 of FIGURE 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows therein to demonstrate structural features of the improved connector prong means;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken transversely through one of the prong means, substantially at line 66 of FIGURE 5', and

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially at line 77 of FIGURE 1 to demonstrate the operational arrangement and clinching functioning of connector devices according to the present invention.

Turning now to the features of the present invention as illustrated in the drawings, it will be recognized from FIGURES 1 and 7 that a pair of timbers, such as 2 x 4s or the like, indicated generally by numerals 10 and 11 in FIGURE 1, are placed in abutting end-to-end relationship and interjoined by a pair of connector devices 12 and 12' of this invention disposed along opposite faces of said timbers. Each connector device 12, 12' comprises a substantially rectangular planar metal plate 13 provided with a plurality of spaced quadrangular, in the particular illustrated case, square, openings 14, 14 arranged in separated parallel rows arranged lengthwise of the plate 13. The several openings 14 are further disposed with their diagonals coincident with the longitudinal axis of the associated row thereof. In the particular connector device 12 shown in FIGURE 1 for example, there are three such rows of openings designated 15, 16 and 17 having their axes aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate 13 and intermediate the lateral limits thereof. It will be understood that the number of openings 14 and the number of rows of such Openings may be widely varied, depending on the size of plate I3 and the demands of the connective function to be performed.

In addition to the connector openings 14, plate 13 also has a plurality of spaced nail openings 18, provided intermediate the connector opening rows 15 and 16, for example, and additional nail openings 19 provided intermediate the openings of rows 16 and 17. Such nail openings are provided to receive nail fasteners for the purpose of assisting initial location of connector devices of this invention preparatory to pressing or forcing the same into operational engagement with the timbers, according to recognized practice in this art.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 in particular, it will be understood that the plate means of the connector device, therein designated 13a, is shown it appears in blank form preparatory to forming the several connector openings 14 therethrough, which operation is accompanied by the formation of the fastener prong means as will be amplified in greater detail presently. As illustrated in this figure, plate blank 13:! is prepared at and within the peripheral confines of each quadrangular area 14a, indicated in dotted lines thereon, with a pair of transversely related slits 20 and 21 which extend between the opposite sides of the opening area 140 and across the center of such area. Circular openings 22, 22 are drilled or otherwise formed through the plate 13a at the opposite ends of the slit 20 and additional circular openings 23, 23 are likewise formed at the opposite ends of slit 21. Each of said circular openings 22 and 23 is tangent to the adjacent peripheral side of the proposed opening area 14a to be formed through plate 13a. A punch of square cross-section is then forced through plate 130 at the intersection of each of the related slits 2t} and 21 to force the several material portions of prong areas 24, 25, 26 and 27 at the four corners of opening area 14a downwardly and outwardly of the plane of plate 131:. In this operation, the instrument used to punch out the areas 2426 preferably cooperates with an underlying die and is provided with a pointed apex or lower end which serves to bend the central adjacent corners of the several areas 24-26 downwardly and outwardly of the plane of plate 13a in advance of the remaining portions of such areas to thereby formulate an outwardly turned or curvilinear tip formation for fastening prong means. as seen in FIGURES 3 and 5 of the drawings and to be described in greater detail hereinafter. As will be readily understood, the punching and die operation also serves to form the several prong means at the four corners of each opening 14, bending and transforming the slit and drilled blank of FIGURE 2 into a finished metal connector device 12 having connector openings and projecting prong means, as illustrated in FIGURE 3. That is to say, the metal material of the several prong areas 24, 25, 26 and 27 is forced outwardly of the plane of plate 13a and bent lengthwise and along the fold lines indicated by the dotted periphery lines or sides for area 14a of FIGURE 2 to produce the substantially quadrangular openings 14 (see FIGURE 4). After the forming operation, the metal material of the prong area 24, for example, is reformed into prong means 30 of FIGURE 3, while correspondingly, area becomes prong means 31 and areas 26 and 27 produce prong means 32 and 33, respectively.

As noted, each connector opening 14 in plate 13 is bounded at its four corners by the several prong means -33 which project outwardly of face 35 for plate 13 (see FIGURE 3) and which lies opposite face 36 thereof as viewed in FIGURE 4-. It will be appreciated with reference to FIGURES 2 and 4 in particular, that the prong means 31 and 33 are located at corners 37 and 33, respectively, of opening 14, while prong means 32 is located at corner 39 diagonally opposite prong means 30, located at corner 40 thereof. Thus, in considering the entire connector means 12 shown in FIGURE 1, it will be understood that in the lengthwise row of connector openings 14, designated 15, prong means 31 and 33 or corners 37 and 33 of opening 14 are aligned on the longitudinal axis of row 15, while prong means 30 and 32 are disposed laterally outwardly and on opposite sides of the row axis. The same relation holds true as to the other rows of connector openings designated 16 and 17. Therefore, considering all of the aligned prongs related to the connector openings 14 in each row thereof, all prong means 31 and 33 lie on the row axis; all prong means 30 lie registeringly aligned to one side of axis and, correspondingly, all prong means 32 lie rcgisteringly aligned on the opposite side of said row axis. This relationship and alignment of openings and connector prongs provides three rows of prong connector means for each lengthwise row of openings 14 and furnishes maximum effective resistance to tension and other forces applied generally along the longitudinal axis of the connector device 12. Thus, very effective resistance to disengag ment or rupturing of the imbcdded prong means of the connector device is experienced through the orientation of the connector openings 14 and the row alignment thereof according to the present invention, as above set forth.

Turning now more specifically to the features of the improved prong means of this invention (reierence being made to FIGURES 3, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings), it will be understood that all prong means protruding from the corners of opening 14 are of alike character so that a full description of one thereof will suffice for all. To this end, the following description will relate generally to prong means 39, shown in FIGURE 3.

Prong means 30 includes a main body portion 42 defined generally between the bottom face 35 of plate i3 and a line passing through laterally extending barb portions 43, 43. Located axially beyond the barb portions is a generally curvilinear and pointed tip portion 44; it being understood that the entire prong means 30 is an integral section of the plate 13 as above related. The body portion 42 constitutes substantially the major lengthwise portion of the prong means 30 and bears a generally right angular cross-sectional configuration, as viewed best in FIGURE 6, and constituting a pair of substantially transversely related wall sections 45 and 46. It will be noted that wall sections 45 and 46 flare outwardly at their base ends to merge integrally into the corner peripheral portions of the opening 14 and, in fact, such merge and extend generally into the remaining peripheral portions of the drilled openings 22 and 23 disposed at the margins of the blank prong area 24 from which prong means 30 is formed (see FIGURE 2). It is particularly noteworthy that the marked right angular cross-sectional configuration of the prong means productive of the transverse relation for the wall sections 45 and 46 thereof is brought about by the passage of the forming punch through the blank plate 13a in producing opening 14 thercthrough; such forming punch striking and bending the prong area 24 lengthwise and leaving a definite internal right angular corner impression designated at area 47 in FIGURE 3. Thus, the desired right angular formation for the body portion 42 is achieved. It will be recognized that this structural configuration results in a very rigid and stable body portion for the prong means, having a marked resistance to bending or deformation whereby good penetration of the prong means into and between the fibers of a wooden timber is guaranteed.

The laterally extending barb portions 43, 43, previously mentioned, constitute the corner portions of the blank prong area 24 defined by the periphery of the drilled openings 22 and 23 adjacent thereto and designated 43a in FIGURE 2 After the forming and bending operation to form the prong means, such barb portions 43 lie ad acent the upper end of and project laterally out of the side margins of the body portion wail sections 45 and 46. It will be appreciated that in addition to forming and bending, the material of the blank prong area 24 also undergoes an elongation and stretching, so that the peripheral portion of the drilled openings 22 and 23 which constitute the lateral edges of the wall sections 45 and 46 are deformed and elongated from their normal circular profile as viewed in the showing of the blank 13a in FIGURE 2. Thus, the peripheral portions of openings 22 and 2.3 constitute the elongated curved edges 48 and 49, respectively, of the wall sections 45 and 46 (see FIG- URES 3 and 6).

As previously mentioned, prong means 30 also includes the tip portion 44 which is located outwardly or beyond the barb portions 43, 43 as an integral extension and terminal end of the prong body portion 42. Such tip portion 44 has a sharp, pointed end 50 and is bent or curved backwardly or outwardly of the general upright axes of the prongs body portion, as will best be understood from examination of the cross-sectional view of prong means 31 and 33 set out in FIGURE 5. Also, the tip portion 44, and particularly the edge area thereof, immediately adjacent its point 50, is flared in a curvilinear fashion to meet the wall thickness of the wall sections 45 and 46 while merging into the sharpened point 50. This feature produces a desirable sharpened point configuration to assist in the entry and penetration of the prong means into the fibers of a wooden timber or like base material.

"the backward or outward flaring formation or the tip portion, which lacks the right angular configuration or the main body portion, assists materially 1n producing a desired clinching function for the several prong means of the connector device when the same is thrust li'ltO the wooden timber. Thus, substantially the entire tip portion, such as tip portion 44 of prong 39, 1S turneu backwardiy after penetration into the fibers of the wooden timber, while the major body portion 42 thereof retains its stable upright disposition. This relationship wilt be readily understood and appreciated by an examination of FIGURE 7, as will now be more fuliy described.

Referring first to FIGURE 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that each of the prong means 31, 32 and 33 includes a tip portion, respectively designated generally at 51, 52 and 53. Orienting the connector devices 12 and 12' in FIGURE 7, according to the showing thereof set out in FIGURES 3 and 4, it will be readily understood that in applying the connector device to opposite faces of timber 11, as in producing a connected junction between the abutting ends of adjacent timbers and 11 (see FIGURE 1), the tip portions 44 of the prong means 30 turn outwardly in an opposite direction or sense from the tip portions 52 associated with the prong means 32, that is, away from the central axis of the opening 14 about which the same depend. The same is true as to tip portions 51 and 53 of prong means 31 and 32. Thus, as illustrated in FIGURE 7, the tip portions 44 of prong means 30 associated with the row of openings designated in FIGURE 1 turn toward the tip portions of the adjacent prong means 32 associated with the openings in the row 16 thereof, and so on throughout the connector device. Therefore, except for the outboard prong means 30 adjacent the lateral edge 55 of the plate means 13 and the prong means 32 adjacent the opposite edge 56 of such plate means, all the intermediate disposed prong means 30 and 32, as viewed in FIGURE 7, have their respective tip portions turned toward one another to grip an intermediate section of the timber therebctween. Such timber sections are designated, for purposes of this description, at 57 and 58 in FIGURE 7. The same relation holds true as to the tip portions of the prong means 30 and 32 associated with the connector plate 12' on the underside of timber 11. It is also true as to the tip portions of the adjacent prong means 31 and 32 of adjacent openings 14 in each row. This uniform clinching action throughout the connector devices 12. and 12' produces a remarkably improved retention or resistance to withdrawal of the prong means, which in conjunction with the resistance to withdrawal of the barb portions of the several prong means, soundly locks the connector device of this invention to the Wooden timbers to which such are attached, thereby producing a very strong and secure joint connection for example. It is to be noted, however, that good penetration of the several prong means is maintained by the rigid, substantially right angular cross-sectional configuration for the body portions of the prong means so that such do not turn over or bend and clinch in operation as do the tip portions thereof.

From the foregoing, it is believed that those familiar in this art will readily recognize, understand and appreciate the unique features which mark the invention apart from the prior art. Not only does the present invention provide an improved system of penetrating prong means for a connector device of the general class to which it pertains, which prong means are capable of improved penetration of wood fibers or like base materials into which the same are inserted, but also this invention provides a simple, effective and efiicient expedient for positively clinching and anchoring the connector device to such timbers through the turning over activity of the curvilinear tip portions of the prong means. Such clinching activity, in conjunction with the barb formation of the prong means, is remarkably effective in producing increased strength and rigidity to a joint in a truss structure or the like, while the particular connector opening formation, orientation and alignment produces improved strength in operation. Also, while the features and characteristics of the present invention have been de scribed in association with a preferred embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, nevertheless the same is not to be considered as limited to the specific embodiment shown and described herein, since the same is obviously susceptible to change, modification and substitution of equivalents without departure from the spirit and scope of this invention. As a consequence, it is not intended that the present invention be limited by the foregoing description or illustrations of the accompanying drawings, except as may appear in the following appended claims.

We claim:

1. A connector device for joining wooden members comprising a planar metal plate means having a plurality of quadrangular openings formed therethrough, a plurality of prong means formed integrally with said plate means and extending unidirectionally from and substantially transversely outwardly of one face thereof; there being one said prong means at each corner of each of said openings, each said prong means having a rigid body portion of substantially right angular cross-sectional configuration and a pointed tip portion formed integrally with and extending outwardly from the outer extremity of said body portion; each said tip portion being formed to protrude generally outwardly of the lengthwise axis of its related said body portion and directed away from the one of said openings with which it is associated.

2. A connector device for joining abutting wooden members, such as structural timbers in a truss structure or the like, comprising a planar metal plate means having a plurality of quadrangular openings formed therethrough and disposed in parallel spaced rows, each of said openings being oriented with a diagonal thereof substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of its related said row; plural prong means formed integrally with said plate means and extending unidirectionally and substantially transversely outwardly of the plane of said plate means, there being one said prong means at each corner of each of said openings; each said prong means comprising a rigid body portion of substantially right angular cross sectional configuration merging with and substantially conforming to the corner profile of its related one of said openings, and a curvilinear, pointed, barbed tip portion integral with said body portion and extending from the latters outer extremity; said tip portion being turned generally outwardly of the longitudinal axis of its related said body portion and away from the one of said openings with which it is associated.

3. A connector device for joining abutting wooden members in truss structures and the like comprising, planar plate means having a plurality of quadrangular openings formed therethrough, plural prong means associated with each of said openings and comprising integral portions of said plate means formed to extend substantially transversely and unidirectionally outwardly of the plane of said plate means, one at each of the four corners of each of said openings; each said prong means having a generally upright rigid body portion of substantially right angular cross-sectional configuration, the base end of which merges integrally with the corner eripheral portion of its associated one of said openings,

and a barbed, pointed tip portion formed at the outer extremity of said body portion, said tip portion having a generally curvilinear profile turning outwardly of the longitudinal axis of said body portion and directed away from the central axis of the said one of said openings with which it is associated, with the barbed configuration of said tip portion being formed at the upper lateral extremity of said body portion substantially at the latters junction with said tip portion.

4. A connector device for joining abutting members in wooden truss structures and the like comprising, a planar plate means having a plurality of quadrangular openings formed therethrough, plural prong means associated with each of said openings and comprising integral portions of said plate means formed to extend substantially transversely and unidirectionally outwardly of the plane of said plate rncans at the four corners of each of said openings; each prong means having a generally upright rigid body portion of substantially right angular cross-sectional configuration, the base end of which merges integrally with and substantially conforms to the periphery of its associated corner of one of said openings, and a barbed, pointed tip portion formed at the outer extremity of said body portion; said tip portion having a generally curvilinear profile turning outwardly of the longitudinal axis of said body portion and directed away from the central axis of said one of said openings with which it is associated, whereby mounting of the connector device by thrusting said prong means into a wooden or like base member causes said body portions thereof to penetrate the fibers of said base member substantially without deformation while the said tip portions of said prong means turn over with a clinching movement.

5. A connector device for joining abutting members in wooden truss structures and the like comprising, planar plate means having a plurality of quadrangular openings formed therethrough, plural connector prong means associated with each of said openings and comprising integral portions of said plate means formed to extend substantially transversely and unidirectionally outwardly of the plane of said plate means at the four corners of each of said openings; each prong means having a generally upright rigid body portion of substantially right angular cross-sectional configuration, the base end of which merges integrally with the corner peripheral portion of its associated one of said openings, and a barbed pointed tip portion formed at the outer extremity of said body portion; said tip portion having a generally curvilinear profile turning the pointed end thereof outwardly mounting of the connector device by thusting said prong of the longitudinal axis of said body portion, whereby mounting of the connector device by thrusting said prong means into a wooden member causes said body portions thereof to penetrate the fibers of said member substantially without deformation while the said tip portions of said prong means turn over with clinching action to anchor the connector device.

6. A connector device for joining wooden members in a truss structure and the like comprising, planar plate means having a plurality of quadrangular openings formed therethrough and disposed in parallel spaced rows, plural prong means associated with each of said openings and comprising integral portions of said plate means formed to extend unidirectionally and substantially transversely outwardly of the plane of said plate means, there being one said prong means at each of the four corners of each of aid openings; each said prong means having a generally upright, rigid body portion of substantially right angular cross-sectional configuration, the base end of which merges integraily with the corner peripheral portion of its associated one of said openings, and a pointed tip portion formed at the outer extremity of said body portion; said tip portion being turned outwardly of the longitudinal axis of its related said body portion and directed away from the opening with which it is associated, whereby thrusting said prong means into a wooden memher or like base material causes the said body portions thereof to penetrate the same substantially without deformation While the said tip portions thereof, after initial penetration, turn over with a clinching movement; said openings being oriented with the corner peripheral portions of adjacent openings opposed so that said tip portions of the prong means associated with such opposed corner portions turn toward one another in their clinching movements.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein each of said body portions comprises two wall sections substantially transversely related with their base ends merging integrally with and conforming substantially to the right angular profile of the said corner peripheral portion related thereto.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said plate means is formed with additional nail receptive openings located between adjacent opposing peripheral corner portions of said quadrangular openings in adjacent rows thereof.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said plate means is rectangular and said quadrangular openings are square and disposed in rows paralleling the lengthwise axis of said plate means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 649,761 Snltzliorn May 15, 1900 826,125 Steini etz July 17, 1906 1,324,483 Upson Dec. 9, 1919 1,402,304 Lord Jan. 3, 1922 1,593,408 Honigbaum July 20, l926 2,877,520 Jureit Mar. 17, 1959 2,937,418 Sanford May 24, 1960 2,974,378 Lidsky Mar. 14, 1961 

1. A CONNECTOR DEVICE FOR JOINING WOODEN MEMBERS COMPRISING A PLANAR METAL PLATE MEANS HAVING A PLURALITY OF QUADRANGULAR OPENINGS FORMED THERETHROUGH, A PLURALITY OF PRONG MEANS FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH SAID PLATE MEANS AND EXTENDING UNIDIRECTIONALLY FROM AND SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSVERSELY OUTWARDLY OF ONE FACE THEREOF;THERE BEING ONE SAID PRONG MEANS AT EACH CORNER OF EACH OF SAID OPENINGS, EACH SAID PRONG MEANS HAVING A RIGID BODY PORTION OF SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGULAR CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION AND A POINTED TIP PORTION FORMED INTEGRALLY WITH AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE OUTER EXTREMITY OF SAID BODY PORTION; EACH SAID TIP PORTION BEING FORMED TO PROTRUDE GENERALLY OUTWARDLY OF THE LENGTHWISE AXIS OF ITS RELATED SAID BODY PORTION AND DIRECTED AWAY FROM THE ONE OF SAID OPENINGS WITH WHICH IT IS ASSOCIATED. 